113-Year-Old Carriage Body joins the IWSR Collection
A 113-year-old carriage body has been recovered from a farm at Gurnard, Isle of Wight and moved to Havenstreet to join the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's unique collection of Victorian railway vehicles. Built in 1898 by the London Chatham and Dover Railway and eventually retiring as Southern Railway No.4134 on the Isle of Wight in 1933, this carriage has had a very interesting history; it was rebuilt three times, losing a pair of wheels along the way, and changed braking system twice. The body of 4134 appears to be in good condition and, 78 years after retirement, original paintwork and lettering can still be easily seen. Arriving at Havenstreet on 23 November 2011, 4134 will now wait it's turn to be restored to full working order and will eventually join the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's train of Victorian 4-wheel coaches.
4134 was built at the London, Chatham and Dover Railway's Longhedge Works, Battersea, during the third quarter of 1898. Originally constructed as a 6-wheel, 5-compartment Third it was allocated the number 232 in the Third Class series, although it was renumbered 666 before entering service. The SECR renumbered it 3186 on 17 July 1906 and at some stage the Westinghouse brakes were replaced with Vacuum. In 1914 it was rebuilt as a 3-compartment Brake Third without renumbering, being further modified in 1920 by having the centre pair of wheels removed. Chosen for service on the Isle of Wight it was rebuilt again, this time to become a 4-compartment Brake Third and renumbered 4134 on 30 April 1927, also regaining Westinghouse brakes. It was shipped to the Island in early May 1927 as part of Set 507 but only lasted six years, being withdrawn on 19 August 1933. The carriage body was sold and then grounded at Cliff Farm, Gurnard, where it gained the name 'Serena'. 4134 was donated to the IWSR by its owner, Mr Downer, and moved to Havenstreet during November 2011.
More details of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's historic fleet of Victorian and Edwardian carriages and latest updates on their restoration can be found in this website's Carriage & Wagon section.